Assessing the quality and readability of online patient information: ENT UK patient information e-leaflets vs responses by a Generative Artificial Intelligence.

BACKGROUND: The evolution of artificial intelligence has introduced new ways to disseminate health information, including natural language processing models like ChatGPT. However, the quality and readability of such digitally-generated information remains understudied. This study is the first to compare the quality and readability of digitally-generated health information against leaflets produced by professionals. METHODOLOGY: Patient information leaflets for five ENT UK leaflets and their corresponding ChatGPT responses were extracted from the Internet. Assessors with various degree of medical knowledge evaluated the content using the Ensuring Quality Information for Patients (EQIP) tool and readability tools including the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL). Statistical analysis was performed to identify differences between leaflets, assessors, and sources of information. RESULTS: ENT UK leaflets were of moderate quality, scoring a median EQIP of 23. Statistically significant differences in overall EQIP score were identified between ENT UK leaflets but ChatGPT responses were of uniform quality. Non-specialist doctors rated the highest EQIP scores while medical students scored the lowest. The mean readability of ENT UK leaflets was higher than ChatGPT responses. The information metrics of ENT UK leaflets were moderate and varied between topics. Equivalent ChatGPT information provided comparable content quality, but with reduced readability. CONCLUSIONS: ChatGPT patient information and professionally-produced leaflets had comparable content, but LLM content were required a higher reading age. With the increasing use of online health resources, this study highlights the need for a balanced approach that considers optimises both the quality and readability of patient education materials.

Localised swelling at sites of dermal filler injections following administration of Covid-19 vaccines: a systematic review.

Introduction: Localised swelling at sites of filler injections has been reported in the Moderna mRNA-1273 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine trial. Methods: We conducted a review of the existing data and literature on the potential pathophysiology for this adverse event and its potential management. Results: Data from the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Phase 3 trial and one case series were available. Three out of 30,400 subjects developed possible filler reaction in the Moderna trial. Two other cases were reported after emergency use authorisation. Reactions occurred at a mean of 1.4 days post-vaccination. Fillers were injected at a mean of 14.1 months before vaccination. Areas involved included lips, infraorbital areas and tear troughs. Treatment included observation, corticosteroids, antihistamine, hyaluronidase and 5-fluorouracil. Conclusion: Rare, self-limiting adverse reactions to dermal fillers have been reported following COVID-19 vaccination. Clinicians should be aware of this clinical phenomenon and its management, as vaccination is carried out globally.

Management of Wide Alar Lobule Using Preservation Rhinoplasty Philosophy: Alar Coring Technique.

A broad alar base disrupts nasal harmony and facial aesthetic balance and is an aesthetic concern for many patients. This wide appearance may be related to excessive nostril sill, alar flare, wide alar lobule, or a combination. Many techniques are described in literature to address the alar base with resultant scars to a variable degree. Management of alar lobule thickness is particularly challenging. Our technique presented here introduces a novel method to reduce the thickness of the alar lobule with excellent aesthetic outcome.

Are Antibiotics Needed in Septorhinoplasty? An Evidence-Based Approach.

The use of prophylactic antibiotics in the context of septorhinoplasty (SRP) is a frequently debated topic among plastic surgeons. Most surgeons routinely use antibiotics to prevent the dreaded physical and psychological morbidity of postoperative infections, although this practice is controversial. With antimicrobial resistance becoming a global threat, however, optimizing antibiotic prescribing is essential. The current evidence would suggest that the rate of postoperative infection is low and routine antibiotic use is unnecessary in SRP surgery. Rates range from 0.5 to 2% in simple SRP surgery, majority of which are minor nasal infections which respond to oral antibiotics and do not require hospital admission. In cases of complex SRP, defined as revision cases or where grafts or implants have been utilized, infection rates can be much higher with an incidence of 7 to 11%, and as such utilization of antibiotics is reasonable. When considering the regime to be utilized, a single preoperative dose of intravenous antibiotics has the same efficacy in reducing the incident of postoperative infection as a postoperative 7-day course of oral antibiotics. In the authors' practice, all patients receive a single intravenous dose of antibiotics on induction, and in the case of utilization of a graft from a nonnasal site, this is complimented with an oral course of postoperative antibiotics. With this approach, infections rates are at the lowest range of available published literature.

A Quality Assessment of Online Patient Information Regarding Rhinoplasty.

There is a large demand for online patient information for patients considering rhinoplasty. While there are many resources available, the quality and content of the information provided are unknown. This study aimed to assess the quality of the most popular information available online, using the "Ensuring Quality Information for Patients" (EQIP) tool to evaluate the content, structure, and readability of patient information on websites. Search terms including nose operation, nose job, nose reshaping, nose tip surgery, rhinoplasty, septorhinoplasty, were identified using Google AdWords and Trends. Unique links from the first 10 pages for each term were identified and evaluated with websites written in English and for general non-medical public use were included. 295 websites met the eligibility criteria with a median overall EQIP score of 17. Only 33% contained balanced information on the risks and benefits. Bleeding and infection risk was only mentioned in 29% and 27% of websites, respectively. Two percent described complication rates of the procedures and only 20% of articles explained further surgery may be required to achieve patient cosmetic or functional satisfaction. Information regarding rhinoplasty available online is currently of poor quality. The lack of effective risk counselling, possible outcome management, and complications may likely lead to unrealistic expectations of rhinoplasty. It is crucial the risks of surgery are communicated to the patient to ensure they can make an informed decision. Improved education through online resources would likely help to promote more realistic patient expectations.

The Difficult Neck Patient-Practical Management: A Personal Approach.

With increasing global trends in aesthetic surgery, the facial plastic surgeon will undoubtedly encounter a variety of patient types including those with more unfavorable underlying anatomy. The "difficult" neck represents a cohort of individuals that exhibit both anatomical and patient-related factors that may limit overall surgical improvement. Anatomical issues that contribute to the difficult neck include excessive fat ("heavy" neck), ptosis of deep structures, obtuse cervicomental angle, and abnormalities of the underlying skeletal framework, such as a low set hyoid and inadequate chin projection. It is important that these factors are recognized and highlighted preoperatively, and that surgery is tailored appropriately to the individual. Although satisfactory results can be achieved, these may be ultimately limited, and it is important that patients understand this. We will present a review of current thinking alongside our own practice in the identification and management of these "difficult neck" patients.

Routine Postoperative Management of Blepharoplasty: A Review of Current Evidence-Based Practice.

Advances in blepharoplasty have resulted in an improved understanding of preoperative risk factors, intraoperative hemostasis, and wound closure. This has reduced the risk of severe adverse events. The aim of this review is to determine the current evidence base for routine postblepharoplasty management. A literature review was performed using MEDLINE, PUBMED, and EMBASE databases. Expanded search criterion "bleph*" was combined with individual terms assessing postoperative management. Articles were assessed and qualified as per Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine levels 1 to 5 (1 = highest level of evidence). A total of 47 unique articles matched our search strategy. Most articles were a description of individual expert opinion, surveys of practice, or case series (level 4-5 evidence). Few randomized controlled trials were performed (level 2). Many articles describe the clinical experience of senior facial plastic surgeons. Our review found some evidence for postoperative cooling and preincision antisepsis to be effective. This review highlights the need for higher-quality studies to improve the evidence base for routine postoperative management.

120 Years of Dorsal Preservation in Rhinoplasty.

Dorsal preservation techniques in rhinoplasty are experiencing a renaissance in recent years. New techniques and modifications to existing techniques are being described at an intensifying pace. Dorsal preservation, however, is not a new concept and was first described over 120 years ago. It is timely that we conduct a review of the key techniques and concepts of dorsal preservation in rhinoplasty that had been published over the past 120 years, at a moment in which we consider as a revival of this school of thought.

Perioperative Management of Nasal Septal Perforation: A Case Series and Review.

Nasal septal perforation is a prevalent pathology, and its successful treatment remains a significant challenge. Surgical closure is complex, and there are a plethora of accounts of various surgical techniques within the existing literature. Much less has been written about perioperative considerations, which are arguably just as important. This article therefore focuses predominantly on the pre and postoperative management of patients with septal perforation. By drawing both on the existing literature and a series of 64 cases managed over several years by our department, this review aims to consolidate guidance on patient selection, timing of surgical intervention, postoperative splinting, use of antibiotics, and patient advice. It is clear that the size of the perforation (relative to the size of the septum), health of surrounding mucosa, and the systemic health and age of the patient remain essential considerations in patient selection and operative timing. Internal and external splints are widely used to good effect, but the role of nasal packing is less clear-cut. This article suggests packing, but with an increasing preference for NasoPore over BIPP (bismuth iodoform paraffin paste). Use of prophylactic antibiotics remains controversial. The complete closure rate for the series presented here was 81.3%, with an average perforation diameter of 15.1 mm (range: of 6-32 mm), and that for perforations with a diameter below 22 mm was 97.9%.